Agadir

30.4250

-9.598

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Agadir Marina

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A night view of the city

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The beautiful beach

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The beach at night

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The coastline is Agadir's crowning glory

Agadir is an absolute gem on Morocco’s coastline. With spacious streets, palm-lined boulevards and bright white buildings, it’s a city that is designed with the visitor in mind.
Agadir is one of Morocco’s finest holiday destinations and people come here from all over the world to enjoy the fine beaches and the 300 days of sunshine that Agadir enjoys. The summer heat is pleasantly tempered by the coastal breezes that blow off the Atlantic, and during the winter it seldom gets cold enough for you to need long sleeves.
It is also near to the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara, making it a great base to explore some of Morocco’s outstanding natural features.

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Agadir Beaches

Agadir Cultural Festivals

Agadir Culture

Agadir Cycling

Agadir Family Days Out

Agadir Food and Drink

Agadir Golf

Agadir Hammams

Agadir Kitesurfing

Agadir MICE

Agadir Motorcycling

Agadir Music Festivals

Agadir People

Agadir Retreats

Agadir Shopping

Agadir Surfing

Agadir Trekking

Agadir Beaches

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Find rest and relaxation on the beaches of Agadir

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The waves come rolling in

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See some of the most amazing sunsets in Agadir

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There's always room for a surf on these beaches

The tourist friendly Agadir is blessed with a six mile long sandy beach that draws people from miles around. It’s extremely wide, meaning that it never feels crowded, and it’s a beach that serves many purposes, whether you’re with your family wanting to play, soak up some of the year-round sun, or use it as a launch pad for watersports such as surfing, wet-biking and parascending.

There are plenty of four and five star hotels along the seafront for you to choose from and with them some top quality restaurants where you can eat your evening meal while watching the sun sink into the Atlantic Ocean.

Agadir Cultural Festivals

Image: See the wild and wonderful at a cultural festival

For all its tourist-friendly nature and modern architecture, Agadir is Moroccan through and through and proud of its heritage. You’ll miss out on an amazing cultural experience if you don’t manage get to one of the many festivals held in and around the city.

Every May, nearby Argana holds the Honey Festival. The village is one of the major producers of honey in Morocco and some people claim it’s the oldest collective hive in the world.

June is the month to see the Sahraoui Festival, an event full of camel races, regional dancing and singing performances, including the famous Laayoune warriors’ dance.

More camels appear in July at the Moussem of Tan Tan in Goulimine. Genuine Tuareg Nomads still come to buy, sell and exchange food and other products, hold camel and horse contests, and celebrate various cultural expressions.

Agadir may be a new city (it was rebuilt in 1960), but it’s still a place to find plenty of culture.

One of the best places to look is the Musee du Patrimoine Amazigh d’Agadir which is dedicated to the Berber culture of the area. Full of exhibits, mainly jewellery, this is a great place to discover more about these North African inhabitants.

The other place you must go is the Medina. Built by Coco Polizzi, the buildings may not be as old as their counterparts in other Moroccan cities, but the trades and techniques of the artisans that work there certainly are.

Agadir Cycling

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Agadir's seafront is a popular place to ride

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Ride out of the city to uncover spectacular scenery

One of the many things that the coastal city of Agadir is good for is cycling. Whether you’re pedalling through the streets of this friendly city or exploring further afield, this is a great place to visit.

You can hire bikes and a local guide at many places in Agadir, then head out to see some of the finest parts of Morocco. The Souss-Massa National Park is 30 miles away, containing over 33,000 hectares of green spaces, water and a variety of birds and native animals. Alternatively, visit an Amazigh village or a Douar to get a glimpse of the traditional Moroccan way of life.

Serious cyclists should take a longer trip to the High or Anti-Atlas mountains. Remote trails, challenging yet spectacular landscape and stunning untouched flora and fauna await you as you ride on- and off-road through both lush green valleys and rocky canyons.

Agadir Family Days Out

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The painted rocks of Tafraout

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Mohor gazelles can be seen by the roadside

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Flocks of flamingos in the valley of the birds

Agadir is a great place for a family to get to know Morocco. This tourist friendly city is most welcoming and is packed with things for children to do. The obvious place to start is at the beach, the long strip of golden sand which is a favourite with tourists and locals alike.

Away from the seaside, Bird Valley awaits, a walk-through zoo full of exotic animals and which also has a play area where children can blow off steam. The Souss Massa National Park, an important conservation area and nature reserve, is a short drive south along the coast. When you explore you’ll be able to see threatened species such as the Scimitar Oryx and Dama Gazelle.

Drive in the other direction and you’ll soon come to Atlantica Parc, a large water park that is a great place to cool off from the heat of Morocco.

Agadir Food and Drink

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Try a fantastic array of dishes when you're in Morocco

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A delicious array of sea food, fresh from the ocean

Agadir is one of the best places in Morocco to enjoy food and drink. It’s a city that is geared up for holidaymakers more than any other, so you’ll find a wide range of restaurants, cafés and market stalls catering for everyone from the most adventurous eater to the more cautious diner.

If you’re looking for something a bit special then many, including the King of Morocco, favour the Boulevard du 20 Aout. He frequents this area when eating out, though you won’t get to share a table with him as whichever restaurant he chooses closes to visitors. The familiar signs of western food chains can also be seen in this area, and the beachfront hotels have their own restaurants.

For a more traditional Moroccan eating experience, try the Talborjt district where multilingual waiters serve great Moroccan cuisine for very reasonable prices.

Agadir Golf

Wouldn’t it be great to never have to play winter rules? Well with 300 days of sunshine and winter lows of twenty degrees you’ll never need to improve your lie in Agadir.

The names of the courses reflect this idyllic setting: Golf De L’Ocean, Golf Des Dunes, Golf Du Soleil … you can feel the warmth already. Book your entire stay at one of the local resorts, or just pop along to a course as part of your overall holiday – Agadir is perhaps better known for its beaches and watersports, but its golf offering is hard to match.

Agadir Hammams

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Indulge yourself with a cleansing hammam

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Hammams take many forms

Agadir is a city of leisure, and this relaxed attitude seeps into the very traditions of the people themselves. The hammams in Agadir are a blissful haven from the sun at a very affordable price. Whether in your hotel, where the experience is geared up for tourists, or at one of the local hammams which the inhabitants of Agadir frequent, a visit to a hammam in Agadir is guaranteed to be a blissful experience.

The masseuses are gentle but firmly efficient and often offer other beauty and wellbeing treatments as well as the traditional exfoliating full body scrub and lounge in the steam room. At the end of a long day at the beach there is nothing better than relaxing in the hammam; you’ll leave on a blissful cloud.

Agadir Kite Surfing

Image: Enjoy the warm waters around Agadir

Agadir’s lovely curving bay, with a golden beach that stretches for six miles, is well known as a surfer’s playground, but kitesurfers and windsurfers are now starting to see the benefits of one of Morocco’s top coastal resorts.

As well as being long, Agadir’s beach is also wide, between 200 and 400 metres depending on the tide. This gives you plenty of room to launch your kite, even in the busier areas. During the summer the water is warm enough for you to wear shorts, and while it rarely gets cold, a wetsuit is recommended for the other seasons. The wind is fairly constant, usually sweeping in from the north-west thanks to the heat difference between the ocean and the desert. It’s a place for all abilities and a fantastic place to explore when you are not on the water.

Agadir MICE

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The Sofitel is just one of many resorts that are ideal for MICE events

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Great weather and beautiful scenery make for memorable business events

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Morocco is in the top ten global MICE destinations

As a destination for business events, Agadir is hard to beat. Its enviable location on the southern Moroccan coast means it enjoys a remarkably temperate climate (300 days of sunshine with sea breezes to keep away the more extreme temperatures you find inland). It also has excellent leisure facilities including clean beaches, spas and first class golf courses.

Agadir is a friendly city with a strong infrastructure, perfect for business purposes. It’s easy to reach, because Agadir-Al Massira Airport receives direct flights from all over Europe, and Casablanca is only an hour’s flight away. There are several hotels that have all the facilities needed for business events including conference centres, lecture theatres and meeting rooms, and staff are very experienced in running these events, ensuring your business event will go smoothly.

Agadir Motorcycling

Image: Agadir is a great base from which to tour

The coastal resort of Agadir is a great place to see from the back of a motorcycle, whether you’re spending your whole stay there or it’s just a stop off on a grand tour of the kingdom. Unlike most Moroccan cities much of Agadir is laid out in a grid, the result of significant rebuilding in the sixties. This means it’s relatively easy to find your way around, and it’s possible to see large swathes of the city without doubling back on yourself.

Away from Agadir you have some lovely coast roads that lead both north and south. Alternatively, head inland and you’ll soon find yourself in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, where you can indulge in some excellent rugged riding both on and off road.

Agadir Music Festivals

Image: The music festivals are a mix of traditional and modern performances

If you love music then you must try and attend Agadir’s Timitar Festival. Every summer, musicians from around the world congregate in the city to create a cultural and musical exchange.

The Timitar festival differs from many others because of its strong focus on Amazigh music, art and dance. Artists performing traditional Amazigh music feature on the same bill as modern Maghreb musicians, and you’ll also be able to hear Gnaoua music at the event.

Alongside this core of traditional Moroccan music, you’ll be able to hear rap, jazz, Indian, Spanish and Cuban music, and much more besides. The whole event takes place over three days and three open-air stages and is one of the most popular music festivals in the country.

Agadir People

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The people of Agadir are deeply in tune with their musical heritage

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A working port, men head out to trawl the seas every day

The city of Agadir has a fascinating heritage. Thought to originally have been a Amazigh settlement, the Portuguese moved into the area in 1505, but the local tribes soon won back the town, giving Agadir its strong Arabic heritage. In 1911 the French were the next Europeans to take control of the city when Morocco became a protectorate of France until 1956, blending the Arabic influence with a dose of Gallic flair.

Today’s people of Agadir are a friendly, warm group and part of the reason that Agadir is now such a popular destination for tourists.

Agadir Retreats

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Find peace and tranquility when you come to Agadir on a retreat

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You are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation

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The Atlantic Palace Hotel

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The Royal Atlas Hotel

Get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life with a holiday to Agadir. One of Morocco’s most popular destinations for tourists, the city was rebuilt in the 1960s with visitors in mind so you’ll find modern buildings, wide tree-lined avenues, and plenty of places to relax. The six-mile long beach in Agadir, with its warm sands and spectacular scenery, is always a good start, with the sound of the Atlantic in your ears and the sub-tropical warmth of the Moroccan sun on your skin.

Agadir has many new, all-inclusive five star resorts where you can stay and indulge in their fantastic facilities; or perhaps try a riad in the hills – traditional exquisite accommodation. Hit a round of golf, luxuriate in the deeply relaxing spa treatments or drain your stress with yoga and return home refreshed.

Agadir Shopping

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The El Had Souk

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Find amazing things to buy

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Find something new at every turn in the souks

Famed for its glorious six miles of sprawling golden sands and blue waters, Agadir is a popular holiday destination and bustling port. However if you take a short trip in from the coast into the city itself, there are shops for all styles and budgets.

If you want a slice of real Moroccan retail then head to the Souk; a seemingly endless indoor traditional market. The winding corridors are lined with stalls selling everything from vegetables and vibrantly coloured spices to stunning hand dyed fabrics. The market retains its traditional charm and is highly popular with the locals, so don’t be afraid to haggle!

Then you can take a stroll through the arches of the Le Medina d’Agadir Cocco Polizzi. Built by an Italian architect in the 1960s, you can wander around and watch the craftsmen creating their goods the way they have for hundreds of years.

Agadir Surfing

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Agadir's long coastline is perfect for watersports

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All ages can enjoy the waves.

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Surf from sun up to sun down

When it comes to surfing, Agadir, like most towns on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, has some great waves to enjoy. There are some superb beaches in Agadir to surf from, plus you get all the benefits of staying in this top tourist destination.

It’s easy to find somewhere to rent equipment, hire a guide and take surf lessons with an expert in Agadir too, so you needn’t be stranded on the shore watching the waves roll in. Come to Agadir and enjoy the thrill of a great surf experience.

Agadir Trekking

Agadir is a beautiful bustling city with a wealth of charms. Whilst you’re there, why not discover of the area’s true beauty by leaving the confines of the city walls and embarking on a trek?

Whether on foot, four legs or four wheels, there is a variety of treks available for a range of abilities. The traditional Amazigh treks allow you to stroll along the shore and sands of the coast and wander up through hills dotted with argan trees and cacti to enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic, before finally camping out under a blanket of stars. Alternatively there are tours which provide family orientated fun with day trips along the coast. Looked after by the friendly locals who can give you the absorbing history of the area, a trek along the sands of Agadir is so much more than just a photo opportunity!

Staying In Agadir

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The Atlantic Palace Hotel

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World class hotels

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The Rose Palace Hotel

One of the many advantages you get when you come to Agadir is that it's built with tourists in mind so you can choose from a fine selection of hotels and places to stay. These range from basic hotels costing around 150 Dh (£10) per night, to the top of the range five star offerings with pools and spas. Of course, there are also more traditional riads for you to stay in, and plenty of guesthouses for those on a tight budget.

Getting To Agadir

Image: You can fly to Agadir from many major European cities

Agadir is a great place on the coast of Morocco that welcomes tourists with open arms, and they’ve made it really easy to get there. There are direct flights from both London and Manchester into Agadir airport which is just twelve miles from the city centre. You can travel this distance by bus, changing at Inezgane, a suburb of Agadir. Or you can take a taxi from the rank, which is right outside the arrivals hall. Fares are fixed at 200 dirham (roughly £14) so you know in advance exactly how much you’ll pay. If you’re visiting Agadir from somewhere in Morocco, there are good road links to the nearby cities of Marrakech, Essaouira and Ouarzate, with regular bus services to each.